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Creating and Implementing Time Bank at CSULB3Problem: Why a Time Bank would be Beneficial for CSULB?We have noticed that CSULB students and club members remain stuck in their prospectivemajors or groups. They do not have a formal platform to network themselves and, therefore, lackthe accessibility to get easy help on subjects not necessarily in their majors. Additionally, manystudents have never seen a tutor to help them with their studies. Whether because of a confidenceissue, or a lack of tutor accessibility during crucial studying times, we believe a time bank can beimplemented to reform both education and student involvement. A goal of SLD staff, from theSLD website is to promote community involvement at CSULB through organizations.Additionally, from the ASI website, a goal of ASI is to “facilitate the achievement of students’educational objectives and life goals through programs that advocate student needs and interests,compel student representation in campus decision making and provide students with resourcesthat they identify as necessary for their intellectual, social and physical development.” Theproblems we have proposed affects both of these goals. Therefore, we propose a time bank willbe the most efficient and profitable way that will both aid in ultimate goals of CSULB while alsobenefiting ASI and SLD directly as organizations.For an easy and direct example: of the members working on this proposal, there is one mathmajor and three computer science majors. All members have realized that they have little to nointeraction with students who are not directly in their majors or clubs. Therefore, all memberslacked a community where skills can be easily exchanged as they are in many future careers andprofessions. Additionally, it is no secret that with hard classes, students often find trouble findingjobs or lack a greater purpose as they feel that their heads are continuously shoved in books.With a time bank, they can find a purpose that was not presented to them before. Students willalso be able to find an additional educational outlet to aid in their learning processes through atime bank.Time banks have been proven to assist in education. In an article titled “Time Banking: The NextBig Innovative Learning Technique,” it is stated that the concept of a time bank can: “improvethe educational ecosystem by allowing students and educators to locate the right mentor that canhelp them to improve their skills or fulfill their knowledge needs. Teachers can mentor students,students can mentor other students, students can mentor teachers, and mentors can be in anylocation, thanks to the flexibility offered by technology.” By creating a system where studentsbuild confidence by giving their skills, they will feel more comfortable receiving help frommembers of clubs and tutors allowing both members of our CSULB community to benefit. Withthis, other skills can be traded that will assist in additional areas creating a purpose for studentswho would like to apply their hobbies as well as their educational needs.A CSULB time bank will not only create a platform for students to seek help, but it will create anetworking opportunity as well as direct applications in the areas they are studying. In an articleby The Wall Street Journal about the effects of a time bank in Spain, one of the time bank’s

Creating and Implementing Time Bank at CSULB4members documents that: “The time bank not only saves her cash, she says, but also lifts herspirits by making her feel ‘part of a community that's taking some positive action during hardtimes.’” To aid in the goals of ASI and SLD, a time bank can serve to promote communityinvolvement between clubs, promote community involvement through those who are isolated,and overall create a stronger community through the already existing student organizations.Additionally, it will be profitable in the sense that these clubs and student organizations can savemoney by spending only time. Time banks have been successfully developed in manycommunities around the world. They have found success through their members and a way toboth strengthen a community and the individual people within it. Using the resources at CSULBright in front of us, we can create a time bank that is efficient for students to access alternativeskills, profitable for clubs and organizations, and a network that will bring CSULB to the nextlevel as a community.

Creating and Implementing Time Bank at CSULB5Objectives for Creating the Perfect Features of a CSULB Time BankIn order to have a successful time bank, there are several things that are necessary. Our researchobjectives were to find the properties successful time banks have while also tailoring our timebank to student needs. A time bank absolutely needs a website. This website should containannouncements, future events, as well as postings for wanted services or posting for services onecould provide. Research of the most successful time banks showcased every single onepossessing a website where all time bank activities were monitored and practiced.The establishment of a group inside a strong social network such as a Facebook page is alsonecessary, as it would provide an additional way for people to stay in contact and communicate.To ensure maximum exposure, we need to make sure the social network is popular and that themajority of people use the social network.The time bank also needs to be designed in a way that maximizes the amount of options peoplehave within the time bank while keeping everything fair. After researching very populated timebanks such as The Crooked River Alliance of Time Banks, the Wellington Time Bank and theO.R. Exchange Time Bank, we will base our time bank designs on their strengths. We will alsouse these successful Time Banks as references to see what kind of skills should be traded fortime bank hours.The student surveys were also vital to our research and we learned several things from them. Wehave realized that most students have no idea what a time bank is. We will need to devise amethod to educate students on the concept of a time bank. Our surveys also showcased that themajority of CSULB students do not receive tutoring. We will make sure our time bank hastutoring options that will encourage students to seek tutoring, since it is known that students whoreceive tutoring earn higher grades. In an article titled “Does Tutoring Work”, it mentions how astudy done by Cuesta College of San Luis Obispo showcased that: “A strong correlation existsbetween success and number of tutoring sessions.” Tutoring, without a doubt, benefits studentsand our time bank will support tutoring. To greater tailor a time bank solution, we surveyedCSULB students with additional questions and conducted interviews to get other direct input forthe CSULB time bank.

Creating and Implementing Time Bank at CSULB6Methods for EvaluationThrough the use of surveys and questionnaires, we were able to figure out how students wouldrespond to a time bank at CSULB. Surveys were handed out to CSULB students only. Weacquired data from students in a variety of majors since students have different organizationstailored to their major. Students taking the survey included those who are in organizations andclubs, as well as students who are not. In order to get the viewpoint of tutors and presidents oforganizations, we conducted personal interviews with a math tutor, a president of a club, and thecurrent manager of Hope Xchange time bank.Student Surveys and QuestionnaireWe handed out 46 student surveys by hand or electronically through the use of Google Survey.Google Survey made it simple for us to view results once the data was collected providinggraphs and charts. The students were allowed to take the surveys on their own time and were notrequired to provide names. This ensured that the surveys were not biased and included the trueopinions of our fellow peers. We asked students if they knew what a time bank was. From there,we had a page that explained the dynamic of a time bank that was easy to grasp. After thedefinition, we asked students questions about the CSULB community to give us an idea onwhere a time bank was needed. We also included questions about what skills students would liketo trade to greater tailor our time banking solution. We asked students the following questions:1.2.3.4.5.6.7.Do you know what a time bank is?What is your major?Do you find that CSULB has a strong community of students?How often do you work with people in other majors besides your own?Would you be willing to give up your time for a time bank?Do you go to tutoring?What kinds of skills would you be willing to trade?Interview ProcessWe conducted three interviews over the last few weeks. The interviewees were chosen becausethey offered insight on our time bank’s development or they were people who can potentially beinvolved in the time bank. Kerry Martin, the current manager of an upcoming time bank calledHope Xchange, was asked the following questions via skype on November 19th, 2014:1. What qualifications do you think a time bank needs?2. Why is time banking important for a community?3. What has been your current budget and materials in opening your time bank?

Creating and Implementing Time Bank at CSULB7In a personal interview on November 12th, 2014, we asked Lauren Lopez, a fellow tutor atCSULB, the following questions to gain better insight on how the tutoring system works, and thetype of help students ask for:1. What is your professional opinion of a time bank? Do you think it would benefit thetutoring community spreading help to more students afraid to formally search a tutoringcenter?2. Would you trade your tutoring skills for time hours? You can then use your time hourstutoring to trade for other skills you may need in the future.3. Would you find that a time bank like this would assist in networking your personaltutoring?4. Do the people that go to tutoring, need tutoring for their specific major or do they needtutoring for classes outside their major?In order to gain insight on how well organizations and clubs work together, we interviewedAnthony Becerril co president of the SHPE organization on November 14th, 2014. We needed toknow how often clubs and organizations organized amongst themselves to help students in moreways than one. Additionally, it would help us gain insight into whether or not the clubs would bewilling to promote the time bank via their club activities. We asked the following questions:1. Does a trading system like in our time bank already exist between certain clubs? (Do youtrade skills between clubs?) If so, do you find that you benefit sufficiently when you tradeskills?2. Do you find that the system we propose would be something your club would like to helpconcerning marketing on Club week?

Creating and Implementing Time Bank at CSULB8Solution: The CSULB Tailored Time BankOur proposed solution to CSULB contains four main parts: a way to kick start and market thetime bank, a formal platform and social network to access the time bank, design features of thetime bank and finally, time bank tailored skills our fellow CSULB peers would like to trade. Wepropose these time bank features to ASI and SLD staff based on our extensive research.Kick Starting and Marketing the CSULB Time BankAs Figure 2 showcases, 91% ofstudents do not know what a timebank is. To educate these students,we propose holding a seminar thatteaches the concept of time banks.We also propose marketing timebanks during official clubFigure 2advertisement events such as theannual CSULB Week of Welcome.Our interview with a club president included a question regarding if he would be willing to helpmarket time banks. Mr. Becerril answered yes. We are confident that with support from variousclub presidents such as Mr. Becerril, the CSULB time bank will be well marketed. During themarketing and seminar, make sure to push how time banking can be performed by everyonesince everyone has skills to share. For example, some students have the ability to tutor whileother students may want to invest time in hobbies like gardening. During time banking seminarsand marketing events, push the concept that all students can give. This should give studentsconfidence in their ability to contribute and receive from a time bank making it accessible to allCSULB students. Now students can feel more comfortable reaching out for a tutor as they maybe able to contribute their alternative skills making them equals in the battles of college.Making the CSULB Time Bank AccessibleIn order to make the CSULB time bank accessible, we need to establish a formal platform orwebpage. To establish optimal webpage features, we propose utilizing Time Banks USA tocreate a website. There are many benefits to utilizing this model. Websites created using thismodel have a wonderful user interface that contain everything we need. This interface contains afront page that has a place for upcoming events, featured events, and a place that showcasesskills being traded called “Recent Yellow Page Listings”, and a well-placed login area. Anotheradded benefit of using this model is that Time Banks associated with Time Banks USA are partof an online database located at the website URL: http://community.timebanks.org/. This is anexcellent resource for time bank exposure, and can really bring a CSULB time bank into thepublic eye. The online database consists of a list of time banks, a way to contact the time bank,city, state, country, amount of members, the time of last exchange, the amount of exchanges, andthe total hours exchanged. This information can showcase the success of the time bank, and as

Creating and Implementing Time Bank at CSULB9our numbers grow, other Time Banks will notice, greatly improving the reputation of a CSULBtime bank.The social network we are choosing as the official social network of the CSULB time bank willbe Facebook. ASI and SLD staff can use the groups feature of Facebook and create a CSULBTime Bank group. This will enable people to comfortably communicate over a very well-knownand established system. Facebook is a system that almost all average CSULB student are familiarwith. It is present on many people’s mobile devices as well, so it can keep people up to date onthe go.CSULB Time Bank Design FeaturesThere are several design features ASI and SLD staff can implement that maximizes the amountof options people have within the time bank as well as the amount of fairness. These designelements include: materials cost, money being given in conjunction with time bank hours, timeminutes, negative balances, and labor equality. In terms of materials costs, we will have thereceiver of the exchange pay for all materials used by the provider, if there are materials. It isimportant that this is discussed before the transaction takes place. This rule is to help with thingssuch as automobile gas, etc. In terms of money being given in conjunction with time bank hours,it is allowed for laborers to be paid in time bank dollars and cash. This is for work that mighttake longer than an hour. In these situations, real money might be a good incentive to completelengthy tasks. For example, someone who is doing a four hour job, can be paid in money and intwo hours of time bank dollars. In terms of time minutes, it is ok to have jobs that are not quitedone in whole hours, so it is possible to earn an hour and a half of time bank hours etc. Roundingup will be enforced, for example an hour and seventeen minutes would be an hour and twentyminutes. Concerning negative balances, we will make it so one has to have the required timebank hours before receiving service. This is to strengthen the value of a time bank hour. In termsof labor equality, no person’s labor is worth more than another. Regardless of the scarcity oruniqueness of a person’s skill, it equals the same as a common skill. This is to promotecommunity and equality. With all these designs in place, fairness and options will be fostered.Tailored Time Banking SkillsThe CSLUB time bank will be tailored to the surveys we received from our fellow CSULBpeers. They were asked what skills they would like to trade. From their responses and researchwe have done concerning other successful time banks, we created a chart that features the skillsour time bank will contain. The type of skills that can be traded are broken into categories withvarious sub-skills under each category. We will showcase this with the following figure 3 table:

Creating and Implementing Time Bank at CSULB 10Figure 3ArtPaintingIllustrationConcept tiesArtsCommunityServiceComputerWebsitesJavaC ngAdviceEntertainmentSingingClown @partiesBalloon artWedding et CarePet Walking Pet sittingPottyTrainingWritingGrammarMovie ScriptShort StoryPoetryAnimationTree artSongwritingThe vast array of skills that qualify for hours will ensure that the time bank will have somethingfor everybody. Students can then post skills under these categories that have more specificinformation on what they are willing to give.

Creating and Implementing Time Bank at CSULB 11Resources Needed to Successfully Implement a CSULB Time BankThe resources needed to implement a time bank are small. They include software, a designatedspace for meetings, a marketing strategy, and a time banking committee.Software for a Time BankA time bank without software is almost impossible. In order to implement a successful timebank, there needs to be an efficient software system that allows members and administrators tomonitor transactions. This software can be implemented using CSULB’s WebComm softwarethat also handles the CSULB website. We offered an alternative of using Community Weaversoftware through Time Banks USA that already includes an easy to use interface, as well asmanaging security and maintenance. Software for the CSULB Time Bank is just a tool memberswill use to implement a time bank. It will not replace the essence of sharing knowledge, passion,and energy that the system and its members will provide.Space for MeetingsLike other organizations at CSULB, there must be a designated room for its members. This roomwill mainly be used to conduct meetings and discussions among the organization’s officers.Officers including the president, treasurer, and other positions, will discuss any social events thatthey might want to hold at CSULB. Any events in CSULB will need a designated room or areaassigned by ASI and SLD for the time bank organization. A

Cal State Long Beach Long Beach, CA 90840 December 1, 2014 Joseph Phillips Imani Cooper Associated Students, Inc. Student Government 1212 Bellflower Blvd. USU-311 Long Beach, CA 90815 . Dear Mr. Phillips and Mrs. Cooper: We have enclosed our technical writing proposal report regarding implementing a time bank at California State University .